Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
MIGHTY Warriors’ striker Erina Jeke is confident they will prevail over Tanzania this Sunday when the two teams clash in the Africa Women Cup of Nations return leg at Rufaro.
Zimbabwe are leading 2-1 after beating their opponents in the first leg with Jeke scoring the two crucial goals to keep their hopes alive of proceeding to the last qualifying round.
Jeke promised more goals come Sunday.
“When we played in Tanzania we did well but when they come here, we hope we’ll even do better. We’re hoping to score more goals this time around.
“I think we’ve improved from our last game against Tanzania.
“We’ve been in camp for quite some time now, so we’ve to beat them. We’re a good team and we want to continue with our good performance. We want to maintain the momentum.
“I’m happy I scored the two goals for our team in Tanzania after a long time. So come Sunday I want to score again because I believe I’ve found my form now.
“I believe we’re going to win this game because we’re playing as a team,” said Jeke.
If Zimbabwe wins on Sunday they will proceed to the final qualifiers where they will meet either Namibia or Zambia.
Zambia won 3-1 in the first leg.
Mighty Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi, is convinced his charges will pull through although he noted they still have some work in terms of physical fitness.
“Building up to this reverse fixture we had gone for a three-week high performance pre-season training in Bulawayo.
“So it gave us a lot in our preparations. This reverse fixture has been more about continuing from where we left.
“As our top priority fitness has featured prominently in our training programmes because we are preparing for the Olympics also.
“In the away match we would say the girls had about 70 minutes at high intensity so we want a situation where the girls can play at high tempo for 90 minutes because for matches we’re going to play in the Olympics for example we need to reach that peak of our fitness.
“So gradually we’ll get there, Rome was not built in a day. It’s a team that’s currently under construction but we promise soccer loving football fans a treat on Sunday.
“I know they’ll set out to play using counter attack. But they’re also a good side technically, gifted players but at the end of the day they’ll be contained and we’ll impose our own way of doing things as a team,” said Mlauzi.
The team continued with their camp at Zifa Village when they returned from Tanzania more than a week ago and they are fancying their chances of qualifying for another major competition following their qualification for the Olympics.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Vanessa Lunga (Black Rhinos), Shebba Rauli (Auckland).
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda, Lynett Mutokuto, Patience Mujuru (all Black Rhinos), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Sarudzai Chikowore (Conduit), Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri (Mufakose).
Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Talent Mandaza, Viola Ndlovu, Daisy Kaitano (all Black Rhinos), Rejoice Kapfumvuti (Inline Academy), Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars),Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Peacemore Kenende (New Orleans).
Strikers: Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Maud Mafurutse (Faithdrive), Priviledge Mupeti (Inline Academy), Samkelisiwe Zulu (all Flame Lily), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu), Kudakwashe Bhasopo (Black Rhinos).